Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (1993) Bantam Spectra

The first novel in an epic about the colonization of Mars.  The first hundred people to become Martians and their vision of a non-political, non-economics-based society.  Temper this with the reaction of an overpopulated Earth needing a place to bleed-off their starving masses and the natural tendency of people to not change.  Amazing advances in applied science to transform the face of Mars and the collision of competing forces drive an outcome that should be predictable.  The outcome is both natural and surprising.

Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo (2021) Tor.com

An East Asian Canterbury Tale

Chih, cleric of Singing Hills and their birdlike companion, Almost Brilliant, go into the Riverlands, walking with other travelers, telling and listening to tales.  They have the fortune to travel with marshal arts masters, and the misfortune to need them.  Just when it seems their enemies are too many to overcome, and old man surprises everyone.

The Singing Hills Cycle is a joy to read, the stories within the story are wonderfully done, making for a quick and satisfying read.

The Cradle of Oshae by A.K. Hauser

An intriguing fantasy in a new world with great characters and cultures.  Where people who grew-up in different places travel far and find new magic in a changing world.

Watch the author's site for news about the release of this book: AKHauser.com

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill (2022) Doubleday

Kelly Barnhill steps out of her typical genre for kids and writes a wonderful satire on our patriarchal societal restrictions from the 40's through today.  If a woman you know, dragoned (metamorphosed into a dragon) how would you handle it?  Could you pretend it didn't happen?  Would that change anything?  And what would you do when it reached a tipping point?  Ms. Barnhill ponders these questions and provides good answers too.

Footnote: Ms. Barnhill suffered a concussion (her third) and worries about writing again.  I say, don't worry it, let the idea and the words come.  Because when they do, you write them down beautifully.

Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire, Illustrated by David Litchfield (2022) Candlewick Press

A beautiful book wherein the title character, Cress, and her family move one night from their warren after her father does not come home.  They move into the Broken Arms, where the landlord is an owl.  In addition to her brother, Kip, getting sick, and her mother weaving to make a living, Cress makes friends with squirrels, meets Tunk, a bear, a skunk who is glamorous, at least in her own mind, a chinchilla, a hen, and Nasty, another rabbit.  She gets chased by Reynard, a fox.  And worries about being eaten by the Final Drainpipe, a snake.  But the best advise in the book is for writers and is told by the hen who suggests that Cress make a story.

“I don’t know how to make a story,” said Cress.

“It’s like making an egg, I think?” said the hen.  “Just sit there until it comes out.”

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo (2023) Flatiron Books

Galaxy Stern returns in a story about the Lethe house at Yale.  This time she is going to try to get her mentor back from hell where he was trapped by his traitorous professor in charge of the house.  But she can’t do it by herself.  Her new Praetor and her sponsor don’t want her to mess with any more arcane attempts.  They want to count her Virgil as simply lost.  But Alex doesn’t know how to give up.

Ms. Bardugo weaves a tight tale of self-recrimination and magnificent effort that keeps the reader guessing all through the story.

Watercress by Andrea Wang, Illustrated by Jason Chin (2021) Neil Porter Books (Caldecott 2022)

A beautiful book that will tug at the heartstrings about tradition and loss.  Ms. Wang writes a tightly woven text that says so much in few words.  Mr. Chin’s art perfectly compliments the story.  No wonder it won the Caldecott and garnered a Newbery Honor.

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo (2020) Tor.com

Our favored monk, Chih is back and recording more stories, this time without Almost Brilliant.  She finds herself stopped just short of her destination aboard a mammoth for the night by a set of Tiger sisters.  After a desperate run for shelter, Chih starts telling stories to the tigers, who keep telling her what is wrong with the stories and correcting them.  They promise to let the mammoth go if Chih will record the correct version of the stories, if they don’t eat her.

An engaging storytelling that keeps you turning the page.